New report shows greater use of primary care associated with lower mortality
We at HCA are excited to highlight the work of the Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative (PCPCC) by showcasing their 2019 Evidence Report -Investing in Primary Care: A State-Level Analysis. This report shines light on widely varying primary care spending patterns at the state level while setting targets for increased investment in primary care. This is a first-of-its-kind study and was made possible with collaborative support from the Milbank Memorial Fund.
Primary care is a great investment for a high-performing health system. Studies show that greater use of primary care is associated with lower costs, higher patient satisfaction, fewer hospitalizations and emergency department visits, and lower mortality. The flip side is that underinvestment in primary care increases workforce and patient access issues.
As Washington’s largest insurance purchaser, HCA has already taken steps toward strengthening primary care in Washington by requiring that health plans are offered to public employees, school employees, and Medicaid enrollees starting in 2020. We continue to collaborate with provider and health plan partners to work on additional primary care strategies.
